It seems like we can never get enough of rankings and lists. However, when I conceived of a power ranking for MLB farm systems, I wanted it to be both different as well as actually useful. How can we wrap our arms around an entire organization’s worth of prospects and gain some perspective?

In an effort to be more creative, I decided to utilize the statistical performance of each organization’s top 30 prospects on a regular basis, rather than the traditional end-of-year summary. Instead of waiting for the dust to settle, I wanted to zoom in to see how different decisions and results impact the strength of individual systems. Ultimately, I want each week to be a snapshot of how an MLB team’s pipeline is (or is not) progressing.

 

Ground Rules

 

• This list is made at my discretion. So yes, this is completely subjective.

• This is a weekly rankings list. If the #1 overall prospect gets called up, that team’s farm system will likely be negatively impacted in the rankings. If a pitcher suffers a blowup or a hitter slumps during the week, it’s going to impact the rankings. This is not just based on general Future Value or else I’d make an end-of-year list like everyone else.

• Why is Team X above Team Y? See bullet point #1.

• Yes, I do actually watch minor league games during the week including reviewing specific ABs or innings that I may have missed.

• No I do not hate __________. I keep an open mind about whatever results come in and whoever may be producing them.

• This is supposed to be fun, so let’s have fun with it!

 

Risers

 

Milwaukee Brewers: There’s something starting to…brew in Milwaukee’s farm. Sal Frelick and Joey Wiemer have been on fire at the Double-A level while Tyler Black has been Mr. Consistent at High-A. Antoine Kelly has another strong start in the past week.

Colorado Rockies: Low-A Fresno is doing all the heavy lifting for the Rockies farm system this week: Yanquiel Fernandez andWarming Bernabel supplying the fireworks at the plate while Case Williams and Victor Juarez (on the outside of the top 30 currently) rack up strikeouts.

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs move up spots simply due to Kevin Alcantara playing insanely. The slender OF was known to have tremendous bat speed and ability to elevate while in the Yankees system. He’s looked like all that and then some this past week.

 

Fallers

 

Miami Marlins: The Marlins tumble as the farm has a very quiet week from top to bottom. Jerar Encarnación has cooled; where are the other hitters in the organization?

Pittsburgh Pirates: They’re throwing everything and everyone against the wall in Pittsburgh to see what sticks. Unfortunately, they’re quickly burning through their top 30 to do so. What seemed like a sufficiently stocked farm, now looks to be dwindling.

San Diego Padres: The Dads still lack any impact players above High-A with the exception of C.J. Abrams.

Featured image by Shawn Palmer (@Palmerdesigns_ on Twitter)